Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-09
CHAPTER XII

Agnes was writing a letter, when the ser
rant astonished her by announcing the yisi-
ior's name. Her first impulse was to refuse
% see the woman who had intIuded on her.
But Lady Montbarry had taken care to fol-
ow close on the servants heels. Before
Agnes could speak she had entered the room.
az beg to apologize for my intrusion, Miss
Lockwood. have a question to ask you, In
which am very much interested. No one
AN answer me but yourself" In low, hesi-
.ating tones, with her Offering black eyes
bent modestly On the ground, Lady Mont
barry opened the interview In those words
Without answering Agnes pointed TO
:hair. She could do this, and, for the time,
The could do no more All that she had read
II the hidden and sinister life In the palace at
Venice; all that she had heard Of Montbarry's
melancholy death and burial In a foreign
and; all that she knew OF the mystery OF
Ferrari's disappearance, rushed into her
mind when the black robed figure confronted
her, standing just inside the door. Tho
strange conduct OF Lady Montbarry added
aew berplexity to the doubts and misgivings
hat troubled her. There stood the adventur-
IS whose character had left its mark on So
.iety all over Europe-the Fury who had
terrified Mrs. Ferrari at the hotel-incon-
,eivably transformed into timid, shrinking
woman! Lady Montbarry had not once ven
.ured to look at Agnes since she had made
her way into the room. Advancing TO take
The chair that had been pointed out to her,
The hesitated, put her hand on the rail to sup
port herself, and still remained standing.
PLEASE give me moment to compose my
,elf," she said, family. Her head sunk on her
bosom; she stood before Agnes like a con-
,cious culprit before merciless Judge.
The silence that followed was, literally, the
silence Of fear on both sides. In the midst Of
il the door was opened once more, and Henry
Westwick appeared.
He looked at Lady Montbarry with mo-
nens's steady attention, bowed TO her with
formal politeness and passed on In silence.
At the sight Of her husbands brother the
linking spirit OF the woman sprung to life
again. Her dropping figure became erect
Bier eyes met Westwick's look. brightly de-
9ant. She returned his bow with an icy
smile Of contempt
Henry crossed the room 10 Agnes.
as Lady Montbarry here by your invite
honP he asked quietly.
mo"
ado you wish to see herr
at is very painful to me 10 see her."
He turned and looked at his sister-in-law.
aDo you hear thatI" he asked, coldly.
IL hesr it." she answered, more coldly still.
@Your visit is, to say the least Of 1t, Ill
timed"
@Your interference Is, to say - least Of It,
out OF place"
With that retort, Lady Montbarry ap-
preached AgEes. Tho presence Of Henry
Westwick seemed at once to relieve and oni-
holden her. @Permit me to ask my question.
Miss lockwood" she said, with graceful
courtesy. at Is nothing to smbarras you.
When the Courier FerraH applied TO my late
husband for employment, did you Her
resolution failed her before she could say
more. She sunk trembling into the nearest
chair, and, after moments struggle, COM
posed herself again. HDld you permit Fer
rari,n she resumed, ITO make sure Of being
chosen for our courier by using your rameP
Agnes did not reply with her customary d.
rectness. Trining as 1t was, the reference TO
Montbarry, proceeding from that woman, OF
all others, confused and agitatod her.
~ have known Ferrarih wife for many
years." she began. ~And take an interest
Lady Montbarry abruptly lifted her hands
with gesture OF entroaty. ~Ah, Miss Lock-
Answer my plain question plainly"
@Let mo answer her. Henry whispered. y
viii undertake. to speak plainly enough"
Agnes refused by gesture. Lady Mont
barTy's interruption had reused her sense Of
what was due to herself. She resumed her
reply in palmer terms.
@When Ferrari wrote TO the late Lord
Montbarry," she said, "he did certainly men,
ton my name"
Even now. she had innocently failed TO SEQ
the object which her visitor had In view. Lady
Montbarry's impatienco became uAgovern-
able. She started 10 her feet and advanced
to Agnes
"Was 1t with your knowledge and permits
sion that Ferrart used your Manner she asked
AThe whole soul Of my question is In that
For Gods sake, answer me-Yes or Nor
AYes.S
That one word struck Lady Montbarry az
blow might have struck her. The fierce life
that had animated her face the instant before
faded out of 1t suddenly and left her like
woman turned to stone. She stood, mechanic
ally confronting Agnes with stiffness so
rapt and perfect that not even tho breath she
drew was perceptible to the two persons who
were looking at her.
Henry spoke to her roughly. Grouse your
self, he said. @You have received your an
swer.H e.
She looked at him. IL have received my
sentence" she rejoined. ARD turned slowly to